Conor McGregor has claimed Terence Crawford rejected the chance to fight him in two separate fights.
McGregor hasn’t fought since breaking his leg in defeat to Dustin Poirier in 2021, and has been in dispute with the UFC over a potential comeback date since his planned July clash with Michael Chandler collapsed.
McGregor held talks with Crawford over the phone, but an agreement didn’t materialiseGetty
The Irishman has entertained a number of potential new opportunities, including suggestions he could fight in his new bare-knuckle boxing promotion BKFC.
He has also hinted at a future return to the squared circle, where he famously fought Floyd Mayweather in 2017 being beaten in their mega-money clash.
And now in an extraordinary claim, McGregor has suggested he held talks with Crawford over a two-fight agreement, but ‘Bud’ had no interest in fighting in MMA.
“Crawford is very slick, he also has a wrestling background pedigree,” he said on a recent live stream. “You know they’re always talking to me about bouts.
“I’ve already boxed a boxer, and the best boxer in MMA is me. You know what I mean? I generate the most [power].
” We were talking back and forth about a two-fight deal. He rings up Crawford in front of me the day after the fights.
“I get on the phone and say ‘Crawford, they’re here talking about you and me [fighting]. Two-fight deal, MMA first, boxing second.
“I know you have an extensive wrestling background, and balls the size of a Bengal tiger. They’re asking for a fight, it’ll be hundreds of millions on the line.
“‘What’s up?’, I said and then he goes, ‘I don’t fancy taking a kick off Conor McGregor’, that’s what he said. You have to respect that.”
Crawford has been seen in the past showing off some impressive wrestling skills against sparring partners, having had a background in the sport.
Crawford has huge pedigree in boxing and is not interested in a switchMark Robinson/Matchroom
It would give him an advantage over any boxer who wished to cross over to MMA, but it appears it is not something he is considering.
The pound-for-pound superstar is currently focusing on his career in the sweet science, where he remains undefeated.
Crawford recently became a four-weight world champion beating Israil Madrimov to make history.
And he is instead primed and ready to continue his pursuit of a mega-fight with Canelo Alvarez, a showdown which could see him become a five-weight king.
McGregor himself is still waiting for a confirmed date, which will now likely come in 2025.
And at the Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois fight, McGregor gave an update on his future.
“It’ll be 2025, we’ll see. My opponent has been matched, and it is what it is,” he said.
“I just take it on board and rock on. My job is to go to the gym, be in the gym, and be in shape.
“One thing for sure is, whenever and wherever it [the fight against Chandler] is, I will be 100 per cent ready.”
